Israel Hotel Stays Drop 4.4% in First Nine Months of 2026

Israel's hotel industry recorded 15.1 million overnight stays in the first nine months of 2026, marking a 4.4% decline compared to 15.8 million during the same period last year, according to data released by the Central Bureau of Statistics.

The decline was heavily influenced by Operation Roaring Lion, which began in late February and led to a sharp drop in room occupancy and tourist traffic. Compared to the pre-war period of 2023, the figures represent a 20.1% decrease, translating to a loss of 3.8 million overnight stays.

Overall room occupancy averaged 50.2% during the first nine months of the year, down from 52.7% in the corresponding period of 2025 and 64% in 2023. Domestic tourism accounted for 12.7 million overnight stays, or 84% of the total, while tourist stays reached 2.5 million, representing a 19% increase from last year.

Regional figures showed significant disparities across the country. The South District recorded the highest occupancy rate at 65.5%, while the North District saw the lowest at 36.1% due to ongoing security tensions.